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Tag: QR codes

Nowadays, QR codes can be seen everywhere. You can find them on the packaging of food items, consumer electronics, business cards, presentations, websites, etc. People and organizations use them to store and disseminate different kinds of information, product authentication and implementing a gamut of supply chain management solutions.

Back in 1994, in Japan, Denso Wave a subsidiary of Toyota developed the first QR code in order to track the manufacturing process of its vehicles and parts. Since it was developed to allow for fast decoding speeds and thus got the name ‘Quick Response’ code. These codes are advanced versions of the previously popular barcodes. However, QR codes have the capability of storing a large amount of information and takes a comparatively smaller area for printing.

Just like a barcode a QR code stores information in a machine-readable optical label. The data contained by a QR code can include anything right from simple text, to e-mail addresses, to phone numbers and much more. The data stored in QR codes is in the form of black dots and white spaces which is arranged in a square grid. These patterns are scanned and translated in readable information for humans with the help of an imaging device like a camera or a scanner.

Today, organizations across the world use QR codes for not just storing information but also for product authentication and tracking. In times, when counterfeiting is on the rise and has become a multibillion-dollar business securing supply chain from the threat of counterfeiters is most important.

For this, a unique QR code is assigned for every individual product and also for the product pallet. While moving through the supply chain the product is scanned at different levels which not just authenticates the product but also updates the database of the system. Through this mechanism, a manufacturer can track the location of his or her product in the supply chain. Similarly, for the end consumer, a simple QR code scan determines the genuineness of the product instantly.

Holostik provides customized QR codes integrated with security labels and holograms. This provides double-edged security to the product against any possible form of counterfeiting. Our QR codes not just help in product authentication but also provide a gamut of supply chain management solutions.

To know more about our customized QR codes and the integrated solutions call us on +91–785-785-7000 or mail us at connect@holostik.com.

The entire nation was jolted by the ill-fated deaths of people due to counterfeit alcohol in the first half of this year. Not just precious lives were lost but families were left devastated in the states of UP, Uttarakhand, and Assam. The onus of the tragedy fell upon the respective State Governments and a debate ushered in the by lanes of media and forums on the present regulatory and anti-counterfeiting measures against fake and illicit alcohol in the country.

According to a study published in the journal Lancet, India’s alcohol consumption has increased by 38% in the last seven years-that’s 4.3 to 5.9 litres per adult per year. Another study states that India is the biggest consumer of whisky in the world. However, the rising demand for alcohol has led to the growth of spurious alcohol industry.

There have been frequent reports of seizures of counterfeit and bootleg alcohol from different states of India. According to a report by FICCI, “The grey market loss to the alcoholic beverage industry stood at INR 14,140 crore in 2014 which had increased from INR 5,626 crore in 2012 observing an increase of over 150 per cent.”

There are various reasons for the growth of counterfeiting in the alcohol industry. Lack of awareness regarding the effects of counterfeit alcohol is one big reason. The poor consumer is lured by the cheap prices of counterfeit alcohol and thus ends up buying counterfeit alcohol which may contain toxic adulterants. These adulterants lead to serious repercussions like kidney failure, liver failure, blindness, and even death.

The government must address the problem of counterfeit alcohol seriously as it hampers the growth of manufacturers, leads to a loss of Government exchequer and jeopardizes the health of the consumers. The combination of digital and holographic solutions can prevent the growth of counterfeit alcohol to a large extent. The U.P state government is currently using bar codes which have not been completely successful in clamping down on counterfeits, therefore, authentication solution providers association (ASPA) has suggested governments to incorporate holographic products along with bar codes/QR codes on liquor bottles to battle the menace of duplication in the liquor industry.

Do let us know if your brand or product is facing duplication. We offer tailormade anti-counterfeiting products and solutions. Call us on +91–785-785-7000 or mail us at connect@holostik.com

Supply chains are like the nervous system of organizations. A healthy supply chain ensures that a company is progressing on the growth path. Supply chains should always be on high priority of companies as loopholes in the supply chain can lead to an escalation of costs, poor delivery management and a threat to intellectual property. Moreover, the supply of tampered and counterfeit products can lead to unwanted legal issues and a blot on the brand image.

Holostik which is a pioneer in providing anti-duplication products and solutions also provides comprehensive and customised supply chain management solutions to companies. Moving a step ahead in anti-duplication technology the company helps to secure

Nowadays, companies are facing the regular threat of duplication. Counterfeiting or duplication can take place at any stage of the supply chain. However, monitoring the entire supply chain is a herculean task and manually it is challenging to examine loopholes or errors in the complete supply chain of a company.

In order to secure the supply chains against the menace of duplication different kind of technologies have been put into use. However, the most effective among them is the use of track and trace technology which closely monitors the movement and quantity of the product across the supply chain. Holostik provides a customised barcode or QR code along with a security hologram to products. This helps in not just authenticating the product but also helps in the implementation of other IT enabled solutions like track and trace, supply chain management, reward management, inventory management etc.

Digital authentication can take place through a QR code and bar code can take place on an individual product, pack case and pallet. The highlighting feature of this security product is that it cannot be copied easily due to the presence of physical hologram along with the QR code.

Holostik a pioneer of anti-counterfeiting solutions and provides a range of holographic and digital authentication solutions for securing supply chains. Its security holograms enabled with digital authentication solutions helps in providing a multi-layered security approach to the product and the company.

To get the best solutions for your supply chain, call us on +91–785-785-7000 or mail us at connect@holostik.com.

Counterfeiters have found new ways to make duplicate products. The easy availability of advanced manufacturing technologies has made it possible for forgers to create visually identical copies of different products. Many times, these copies are so exact that it becomes difficult to differentiate them from original products.

The widespread sale of fake goods across the world is not just due to the easy availability of manufacturing technologies but also due to weak regulations and the involvement of organized crime networks which further push the counterfeiting business manifolds.

However, it’s not just the counterfeiters who are at an advantage due to new technologies, but anti-counterfeiting experts have also made new innovations to counter the threat of duplicate products. Among the many anti-counterfeiting companies Holostik is one of the pioneers in the field of anti-duplication technologies in India. Since 1991, the company has been providing a range of anti-duplication and packaging solutions. It also provides a range of IT-enabled solutions which not just secure your product but also manage the entire supply chain.

Holostik is also one of the largest manufacturers of security holograms in the world. Its 3D security holograms provide an easy and affordable solution for product authentication. The light diffraction property of the holograms and the potential to incorporate different overt, covert and forensic features makes security holograms one of the most popular choices of companies to secure their products and brands.

Riding high on the wave of a digital revolution, Holostik has combined the power of security holograms and QR code in a single security instrument. In this anti-counterfeiting solution, the hologram serves the purpose of physical authentication and a QR code is meant for digital authentication along with a host of other IT-enabled supply chain management services. The combination provides double layered protection against any kind of possible counterfeiting, tampering and adulteration.

Holostik believes that in today’s market different anti-counterfeiting technologies are not competing but are complementary to each other. Taking a cue from this the company offers a combination of holographic security and digital security which together serves as the best anti-counterfeiting solution against the menace of duplication.

In order to ensure the quality of drugs and check the sale of fake drugs in the market, the DTAB (Drugs Technical Advisory Board) has recommended mandatory QR coding on labels of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). The QR codes will help in tracing the origin and movement of APIs from manufacturers to formulators through a networking system.

DTAB in a recent meeting noted that the security and integrity of API in proper storage condition played a very important role in maintaining its quality in the supply chain. The board also added that the stakeholders had suggested for implementing QR coding on APIs for tracing the origin and movement of drug ingredients.

While speaking on the development, a senior Health Ministry official said that the DTAB after detailed deliberation has recommended to include mandatory provisions under the Drug and Cosmetics Rules 1945. Other officials from the Health Ministry confirmed the numerous benefits of QR coding on API which included better price control and quality control.

APIs are the active raw materials used in the medicines to give them their therapeutic effect. A large share of APIs are being procured from other countries but the Health Ministry envisions to become self-reliant. Earlier, FICCI has also said that the reliance on other countries for API exposes India to disruptions in supply chain and pricing volatility.

Recently, the Supreme Court had directed the Central Govt. to develop a system that would benefit consumers by controlling the prices of drugs. The Health Ministry says that it has been working on introducing the QR coding for medicine packaging which can then be linked to a software supervised by NPPA (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority).

Authentication technologies play a pivotal role in protecting brand reputation, value, market share and above all trust of customers. As counterfeiters use new methods and technologies for duplication it has become highly critical for legitimate manufacturers to utilize the power of digital authentication.

Digital authentication technologies are being widely used by companies across the globe to tackle the problem of counterfeiting. Some of the widely used digital authentication technologies comprises of bar codes, QR (Quick Response) codes, RFIDs, taggants etc.

Among these authentication technologies bar codes and QR codes are being massively used by organizations to secure their products and safeguard and manage their supply chains.

As per a trade report, “The barcode sector of the technology segment constituted the highest share in the anti-counterfeit packaging market; and is projected to grow at a second-highest rate during the forecast period as it is highly preferred for brand protection in almost all industries but especially in personal care & cosmetics products. This is due to the information and code embossed over the barcode and does not allow the covert data to be displayed on the label, making it difficult for counterfeiters to copy. A barcode helps companies to integrate product lines and reduce the total cost of ownership.”

QR codes or 2D bar codes are not much different from bar codes except that they can store much more information compared to a normal barcode. Both these machine-readable codes can be scanned with handheld devices and mobile phones. Perhaps, one of the biggest advantages of these digital authentication technologies is that they provide quick and convenient authentication in real time.

Here are some benefits of digital authentication technologies:

1.Real-time authentication: Digital technologies like bar-codes and QR codes offer instant authentication of the product in real time. This means that you don’t have to wait much in order to check the genuineness of the product.

2.Stores large amount of information: From the name of the product to manufacturing and expiry date, nutritional value and much more, bar codes and QR codes can store a large amount of information which reflects on the screen once scanned. It helps the consumer and other stakeholders in the supply chain to know about the necessary information related to the product.

3.Unique for every single product: Bar codes and QR codes are unique for every single or individual product manufactured by the company. Thus, these solutions give a unique identity to each product in the supply chain and ensure their comprehensive and detailed monitoring.

4.Can be amalgamated with physical authentication technologies: Holostik which is a pioneer in anti-counterfeiting technologies in India offers a unique smart security hologram which includes a QR code and a hologram for two-phased authentication of the product. Quite evidently, one can’t deny the great quality of digital technologies to easily amalgamate with physical technologies.

Counterfeiting, tampering or adulteration can take place at any part of the supply chain. Counterfeiters can sneak in at any stage and can make counterfeit copies of the genuine product or can tamper with its packaging and contents. A supply chain is the network of all the individuals, organizations, resources, activities and technology involved in the creation and sale of a product, from the delivery of source materials – from the supplier to the manufacturer, and the final product delivery to the end user.

Organisations and company owners can take the necessary measures to secure their supply chains. Different technology tools can be used as effective solutions to secure supply chains. Since the supply chain encompasses different stages, therefore, it is difficult to individually monitor each of them. Moreover, it is manually not feasible to examine loopholes or any errors in the supply chain.

Of late, different kinds of technologies are being used to secure and monitor supply chains. The amalgamation of IT-enabled authentication technology and holographic authentication technology is being used by companies worldwide. A good example is the use of barcode or QR code technology which not just digitally authenticates the products but also links it with different IT-enabled solutions like track and trace.

Track and trace system is one-of-its-kind technology which helps in tracking and tracing the product throughout the supply chain. The technique provides a unique identifying code (bar code/ QR code) onto each product after it has been packaged. This enables individual products to be tracked from production to the end consumer and helps manufacturers significantly reduce counterfeiting by ensuring products can be easily identified.

Digital authentication through a QR code and barcode take place on the individual product, pack, case and pallet level. Variable and unique QR codes are difficult to copy and thus provide security on each level of the supply chain. Holostik is a pioneer of anti-counterfeiting solutions and provides a range of holographic and digital authentication solutions for securing products and supply chains. Its security holograms enabled with digital authentication solutions help in providing a multi-layered security approach to the product and the company’s supply chain.

People who are victims of theft, robbery, fire, flood or other disasters often complain about the powerlessness they have over the situation. The gruesome situation can create an enormous amount of financial burden and can cause irreparable loss to the individual and organisations.

But just as individuals can take necessary measures to protect their products and properties similarly organisations and company owners can take the necessary measures to secure their supply chains. Different technology tools can be used as effective solutions to secure supply chains.

One of the biggest threats faced by companies is the problem of duplication. Counterfeiting or duplication can take place at any stage of the supply chain. Since the supply chain encompasses different stages, therefore, it is difficult to individually monitor each of them. Moreover, it is manually not feasible to examine loopholes or any errors in the supply chain.

Of late, different kinds of technologies are being used to secure and monitor supply chains. Particularly IT technology in amalgamation with holographic technology is being used by companies worldwide. A good example is the use of barcode or QR code which not just digitally authenticates the products but also links it with different IT-enabled technologies like track and trace, supply chain management, reward management, inventory management, marketing campaigns and other functionalities.

Digital authentication through a QR code and barcode take place on the individual product, pack, case and pallet level. Variable and unique QR codes are difficult to copy and provide security on each level of the supply chain. Holostik a pioneer of anti-counterfeiting solutions and provides a range of holographic and digital authentication solutions for securing supply chains. Its security holograms enabled with digital authentication solutions helps in providing a multi-layered security approach to the product and the company.

Marketing campaigns are useful to promote a product through different media, including print, radio, television and online platforms. Campaigns do not have to exclusively rely on advertising and can also encompass word of mouth, viral and other new age techniques for promotion. Due to cut-throat marketing competition companies regularly engage in launching new marketing campaigns to generate brand awareness and sales.

Effective marketing strategy separates big growing companies from the slow-growing companies. In order to grow one’s business one must become an effective marketer, advertiser and promoter.

An integrated and effective marketing campaign is one that delivers the right message to the right audience at the right place. A unified marketing strategy can get you numerous benefits. Apart from boosting sales and profits, it also helps in increasing brand loyalty, saves money and increases the company’s competitive edge.

Holostik has set an international benchmark in not just catering the best anti-duplication solutions but also in advanced IT-enabled solutions which serve a different purpose in a supply chain. Holostik creates a customised system or database wherein the information of product user feeds in. The database will be updated with every user added to the list. Whenever one’s company comes out with a new product or any new offer or any discounts, they can use the database and send messages to them so that they keep informed about the latest happenings and developments at the company.

Let’s discuss the process of customised marketing system provided by Holostik.

Customised software is developed according to the needs and requirements of the client

On purchasing the product, the QR code is scanned by the customer.

The contact details of the customers get stored in the database of the manufacturer.

Promotional messages or emails are sent to the customers to increase the sales volume.

Product authentication is important to determine the genuineness of a product. Authentication is a process through which a human or system verifies the originality or duplicity of any product. Authentication is essential to effective security as it equips the user to check the originality of the product. Holostik has been a pioneer in providing its clients unique and secure holograms which are impossible to copy or duplicate.

The holograms work as a unique identity of genuineness. The scanning of the hologram will immediately tell the customer if the product purchased by them is genuine or fake. The holograms reflect a unique identity of genuineness. A hologram can incorporate overt, covert, forensic or digital features for authentication.

However, among the many authentication features the most used authentication feature is digital which includes barcodes, QR codes, RFIDs etc. According to a trade report, “The barcode sector of the technology segment constituted the highest share in the anti-counterfeit packaging market; and is projected to grow at a second-highest rate during the forecast period as it is highly preferred for brand protection in almost all industries but especially in personal care & cosmetics products. This is due to the information and code embossed over the barcode does not allow the covert data to be displayed on the label, making it difficult for counterfeiters to copy. A barcode helps companies to integrate product lines and reduce the total cost of ownership.”

The customer can also ensure the security and validate originality by scanning the QR code using a scanner, sending the display number via SMS, or through the website. The customer can ensure security and authenticate the product by scanning the QR code using a scanner, sending the display number via SMS, or through the website.

In order to understand the overall process of product authentication let’s understand the complete process in detail:

First, the customer purchases the product enabled with the smart hologram or smart label that has a QR code or barcode.

At the time of purchase, the barcode or QR code is scanned to check the authenticity of the product.

Post-scanning, the customer receives the message about the genuineness of the product.

Simultaneously, the manufacturer also receives the message about the scanning of their product.

Holostik not just provides real-time authentication but also moves a step ahead by equipping manufacturers with the track and trace technology through which one can keep a tab of his or her products in the supply chain. The technique provides a unique identifying QR code or barcode onto each product after it has been packaged. This enables individual products to be tracked from production to the end consumer and helps manufacturers significantly reduce counterfeiting by ensuring products can be easily identified. Holostik’s track and trace systems have been designed to ensure the best print quality and the highest level of efficiency.